January/February Vision 2022

The Vision JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2022

Your Source for City of Wentzville News and Events

SOLID WASTE CHANGES ARE COMING THIS YEAR; GET A QUICK OVERVIEW ON PG. 3.

If You're Cold, They're Cold Protect your Pets this Winter

Inside this Issue STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY

Freezing weather can be dangerous for you and your pets. While we all know how to keep ourselves warm and dry during varying weather conditions, it's important to know how to protect

our four-footed family members as temperatures fall this winter.

READ MORE ON THE BACK COVER

WINTER WEATHER REMINDERS HOLIDAY DISPLAY WINNERS 2022 UTILITY RATES KEEP YOUR FURRY FRIENDS SAFE AND WARM!

Welcome New Businesses!

Travers Automotive & RV Group 12542 Veterans Memorial Pkwy.

AAA Home Services 407 E. Pearce Blvd., Suite A Complete Tax Solutions 205 Creekside Office Dr. Posh Vapor Wentzville 1002 Quartz Canyon Dr. Reliable Equipment 150 Enterprise Dr., Suite 112 Key's Property Management 1512 E. Pitman Ave. Nancy the Psychic (AKA Readings by Nancy) 1082 Crosswinds Ct. A Sweet Life of Bliss (New Location) 302 S. Whitehead St.

Snow Emergencies Please remember, when a City Snow Emergency is issued, residents must move cars off of public streets. Snow Emergencies, which are issued when a heavy snowfall is predicted, will be publicized on the City’s social media channels and will be posted on our website at www.wentzvillemo.gov.

Thank you for your help to improve our efficiency and effectiveness during these winter-weather events.

PLAYTIME IS LOCATED AT 105 HIGHWAY A

Business Spotlight: Playtime Arcade and Bar Discover this fun family-owned and operated arcade and bar right here in Wentzville.

Playtime is complete with laser tag, mini bowling, axe throwing and more!

OWNERS: Todd and Kelly Bishop WHEN DID YOU OPEN? We opened in 2007 on Wentzville Parkway (where Pizza Ranch is now). We moved to our new and improved location at 105 Highway A about three years ago.

WHAT DO YOU BRING TO WENTZVILLE

BY HAVING YOUR BUSINESS HERE? When we created Playtime in 2007, our children were little. In our new facility, we have added more teen and adult attractions to grow with our family.

WHAT PRODUCTS/SERVICES DOES YOUR BUSINESS OFFER? Playtime is very unique. We don't have anything around Wentzville that's really like this. We have a 65-piece arcade, axe throwing, mini bowling and a virtual rock-climbing wall.

We also have a 4,000-square-foot, twostory laser-tag arena, and a 5,000-squarefoot inflatable jump arena. Additionally, we now offer a full menu and bar.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT WENTZVILLE? The people and the community.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOUR BUSINESS? We are looking into expansion to include live music and sand volleyball courts.

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WHAT DO YOU HOPE WENTZVILLE WILL EVOLVE INTO IN FIVE YEARS? We hope Wentzville will keep its small town feel, while continuing to embrace the growth of new businesses.

WHAT OTHER COMMENTS, ADVICE OR NEWS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE? Our indoor party center is ready to host your team-building event, family birthday party, wedding reception and so much more. If you're having a special event at your or other location, you can also Taxhome, Dollars: Keep your tax rent attractions from our rental dollars working for YOU! Theinventory.

Whatever your needs, we are City sales taxcelebration you pay funds ready to get the party started!

Learn more improvements to parks, roads atand www.playtimepartycenter.com. services in YOUR City.

Message from the Mayor: Stay Connected to the City Sign Up for Wentzville's Emergency Alert System

Mayor Nick Guccione The City of Wentzville uses a variety of methods to communicate with all of our residents. Make sure you are receiving all of Wentzville's important updates by connecting with us in the following ways.

Sign Up for the City's eNewsletters Stay informed about parks and recreation facilities, events and programs, economic development news, and general City updates by signing up for one or more of the City’s eNewsletters. Get Wentzville updates sent right to your inbox when you sign up at www.wentzvillemo.gov/newsletters.

Wentzville utilizes a tool called W.I.N.D. (or Wentzville Information Notification Delivery) to notify residents and business owners about imminent threats to health and safety. Visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/ signupforWIND to receive alerts by phone, by text and/or by email. If you’ve signed up previously, please log in to ensure your contact information is up-to-date.

Follow the City on Social Media The City uses a variety of social media to keep our residents updated. You can connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @wentzvillemo, and on LinkedIn, Nextdoor and YouTube by searching for the City of Wentzville. Find links to connect you with the City of Wentzville on social media, including links for the Parks and Recreation and Police departments, when you visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/getconnected.

Update Your Email Address Ensure that you receive all of Wentzville's important news and alerts by updating your email address and other account information. Simply visit the website at www.wentzvillemo.gov/mycontactinfo, and complete a short form to update your contact info.

Contact the Board I invite you to reach out to me or the Board with any questions or concerns. To contact me or one of your aldermen, please visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/boa. If you're not sure which ward you live in, simply visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/wardmap.

Solid Waste Changes Coming in 2022 There will be several changes to your Solid Waste Collection in early 2022. These changes are necessary in order to increase efficiencies and maintain high-quality service for our growing Wentzville community. We greatly appreciate your patience as we roll out these changes!

At the time of publication, details are still being finalized. However, FAQs can be found at www.wentzvillemo.gov/ 2022solidwasteupdates. Please note, the FAQs will be expanded as we finalize additional details. While not all-inclusive, here are the top four things you need to know.

SINGLE-STREAM RECYCLING IS BACK!

All recyclables can go in one cart again! Plus, everyone will receive curbside recycling collection at no extra cost. Recyclables include plastics #1-7, paper and cardboard (no glass).

RECYCLING AND TRASH CARTS WILL BE PROVIDED.

Moving forward, personal carts cannot be used for recycling or trash collection.

DROP-OFF SITES WILL BE CLOSING CITYWIDE.

Now that curbside pickup is included for all customers, the drop-off sites will be eliminated.

NEW DISCOUNTED RESIDENTIAL DUMPSTER OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE! Are you working on a remodeling project or cleaning out your basement? You can now schedule a residential dumpster through Meridian at a discounted rate.

Questions? Call our solid waste customer service team at (636) 639-2049, and stay tuned in to the City's social media channels and the website at www.wentzvillemo.gov/solidwasteandrecycling for more information.

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DRIVE WITH CARE THIS WINTER!

Winter Weather Preparedness Be prepared by taking extra precautions when chilly temperatures impact the Wentzville community this winter.

SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL With snow and ice season upon us, Wentzville Public Works is gearing up to keep City roads clear and safe. To submit a snow concern, please email snowconcern@wentzvillemo.gov. Below are a few tips from the Public Works Department. Have a question? Call Public Works at (636) 327-5102.

• Store Snow to the Right of Your Driveway: As you stand facing the street, it’s necessary for snow to be stored to the right side of your driveway. For best results, remove snow from the street in front of and to the left of your driveway.

Snow remaining on the street in front of and to the left of your driveway drops in front of your driveway when the City snow plow comes by. To view a diagram, please visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/ winter.

• Fire Hydrants: Residents should clear fire hydrants of snow buildup to ensure fire fighters can quickly find the fire hydrant in the event of a fire.

• Observe Winter Parking Restrictions: It is always a good idea to remove parked cars from the roadway during a snow event greater than two inches. Parking is prohibited on City streets when a snowfall forecast of five or more inches results in a declaration of a City Snow Emergency.

• Mailboxes: Occasionally, mailboxes are bumped by snow removal equipment or snow dropping off of the face of the plow. When notified of the problem, the City will erect a temporary mailbox until weather conditions allow for repairs.

If replacement is needed, the City will reimburse $50 for a new mailbox, which meets the minimum USPS requirements.

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• Landscaping: The City permits low bushes, ground cover and flowers to be planted in the right-of-way, but does not compensate residents for private plantings in the right-of-way that are damaged due to snow-removal operations. If sod is damaged, the City will restore that area at the earliest availability of sod material.

Driving safety also includes following all state and federal driving laws and practicing caution by wearing your seatbelt, never driving after drinking and never driving while distracted by an electronic device or anything else.

• Mail Delivery/Trash Pickup: Snow fighters clear snow as close to the curb line as practical to provide access to the mailboxes and trash collection.

Final clearing is the responsibility of each resident in order to receive trash collection service and delivery of mail by the USPS.

A quick reminder to please be patient with our City snow plows. Snow routes are preassigned and plow trucks work as quickly and safely as possible. Residents can help speed up the plowing process by parking cars in driveways instead of on City public roads. We encourage residents to limit travel until all streets have been plowed and travel safely when you do leave your home. To report City street snow concerns, email snowconcern@wentzvillemo.gov.

DRIVE SAFELY While safe driving should be a year-round habit, winter driving requires special care. As the cold weather settles in, it’s important to prioritize driving safety every time you and your family get behind the wheel. Stay safe behind the wheel with these tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

SNOW PLOW REMINDERS

There are many streets in and around Wentzville that are not plowed by the City.

These roads are maintained by MoDOT and are not normally cleared by City crews unless otherwise approved under a mutual aid request or as authorized by the City Administrator. These roads include:

Prepare your vehicle: In winter, pay special attention to your vehicle’s battery, wipers, coolant, tires and other systems that can take a beating when the temperature drops.

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Highways 70 and 40/61

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Highway 70/North Service Road/ South Service Road

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Lettered Highways, including Highway A, Highway N and Highway Z

Prepare yourself: Drive slowly. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered road. Increase your distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you, especially when driving on wet, icy or snowy roads.

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Continental Drive

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Linn Cemetery Hill

Prepare for an emergency: Make sure your vehicle is stocked to keep you safe if your car breaks down. Keep blankets, flashlights, jumper cables and flares or emergency lights in your vehicle.

Don't Miss the Sweetheart Dance!

THANKS TO ALL OUR PARTICIPANTS AND VOLUNTEERS!

Electronics Recycling Recap More than 515 participants attended the City’s 2021 Electronics Recycling and Document Shredding event at Holt High School on Saturday, Oct. 30. Approximately 22,450 pounds of electronic waste (e-waste) was collected and thousands of pounds of personal documents were shredded as part of this recurring community event.

This successful event was coordinated by the City with support from Midwest Recycling Center, Shred-it and the Wentzville School District.

“We are so thankful that we’re able to offer this service to the community. We especially want to thank our hard-working volunteers and all the residents who came out to participate in the event!” said Mayor Nick Guccione.

Since the City began hosting these events in 2018, over 150,000 pounds of e-waste has been diverted from the landfill. The City plans to continue these events to help the community properly dispose of electronic waste. The next event is tentatively set for Nov. 5, 2022.

2021 Holiday Display Contest Winners To end the year on a high note, the City held its second annual Holiday Decorating Contest. The contest was open to Wentzville residents and three award winners were selected. In its second year, the contest had more than one dozen entries and hundreds of votes. Thank you to everyone who participated (and voted), we can’t wait to bring this fun program back again next year!

BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST

Register for this special event and make memories that will last a lifetime!

The dance includes a meal, dancing, games, a craft and more. Each couple will receive a photo to remember this special night. Take one more thing off your plate and pre-order a corsage!

Corsages are an additional $25 and a corsage and boutonniere bundle is $40.

Add another guest, child or adult, for an additional $25. This event will run 6-9 p.m. on Feb. 4 and Feb. 5. Registration closes Jan. 29! To learn more and register, visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/ sweetheartdance.

Mobile Mammogram at City Hall MAYOR’S CHOICE

SOCIAL MEDIA FAVORITE

The St. Luke's Mobile Mammography Unit will be at Wentzville City Hall (1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd.) on Wednesday, Feb. 16 and Thursday, Feb. 17 from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Both 2D and 3D mammograms will be available to women age 40 and older. The fee will be billed to your insurance. To make an appointment or for more information, please call (314) 205-6267. Appointments will be filled first-come, first-served.

Women who are uninsured or underinsured may be eligible for free mammograms.

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January and February Holiday Reminders

Board Update

Wentzville Today, Yesterday and Tomorrow

The MLK and Presidents' Day holidays will not affect the solid waste/recycling collection schedule.

City Hall will be closed on Monday, Jan. 17 (Martin Luther King Day) and Monday, Feb. 21 (Presidents' Day).

Progress Park Recreation Center will be open regular hours on both holidays.

Visit www.wentzvilleicearena.com to view Ice Arena hours, learn about special events and more. Please note, Progress Park Recreation Center will close at 3 p.m. on Feb. 13 (Superbowl Sunday).

2022 Solid Waste Holidays Solid-waste collection can observe up to six holidays per year. The holidays are only observed, however, when they fall Monday through Friday. When one of the six holidays falls on a weekday, collection will take place one day later than your regular pickup day. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, however, the schedule will not be affected.

Meet the Board of Aldermen (left to right): Jeffrey Ottenlips, Ward 2; Michael Hays, Ward 3; Robert Hussey, Ward 1; Mayor Nick Guccione; Bryan Harr, Ward 1; Michael Lovell, Ward 3; Tricia Byrnes, Ward 2. You can find contact information and more when you visit www.wentzvillemo.gov/boa.

Wentzville's sesquicentennial — AKA its 150th birthday which will be celebrated throughout 2022 — is an opportunity for our community to celebrate and embrace its history. This milestone also offers an opportunity for reflection. As we look at our progress and growth over the last century and a half, we are also challenged to embrace our vision for the future.

While this new vision is designed to move Wentzville well into the future, it is a reminder that we are still connected to our roots — we are still the crossroads of the nation, and we are and always will be a welcoming community and a regional leader. We work daily to deliver exceptional City services that help our residents and business thrive. We are the same Wentzville yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The holidays impacted for 2022 are as follows:

As we take the next year to celebrate our 150th birthday and to look back at how far we've come, let's also take this time to look forward to the next 150 years. Where do we want to be? Who do we want to be? As a welcoming community and regional leader, we are often working toward the continued growth of our community — welcoming new residents, businesses and visitors to the City.

We are also committed to our current and long-time residents and to the success of our established businesses.

Memorial Day

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Independence Day

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Labor Day

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Thanksgiving Day

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• During a strategic planning session in 2021, the Board of Aldermen adopted a new vision for the City: "Located at the crossroads of the nation, we are a welcoming community, uniquely positioned as an innovative regional leader. Wentzville delivers exceptional services and a vibrant quality of life for residents and businesses to thrive."

For example, Memorial Day falls on a Monday; so, Citywide solid-waste collection will be delayed by one day. This means that residents with normal pickup scheduled on Monday, will have their pickup moved to Tuesday; Tuesday’s pickup will move to Wednesday, and so on. Residents who normally have a Friday pickup, will have their collection moved to Saturday.

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The critical success factors identified by the Mayor and the Board help to support the City's Vision. We are excited to use the following factors as a roadmap for Wentzville's future.

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Recognizing Wentzville as a regional destination, providing long-term community value through responsible financial management.

Being committed to the City's economic vitality through partnerships, development opportunities, a versatile and skilled workforce, and favorable property taxes to ensure that new and established businesses thrive.

Creating infrastructure connectivity through optimized traffic systems, pedestrian-friendly amenities, dependable utilities and cutting-edge technology to enhance our quality of life.

Providing exceptional City services that create unsurpassed, industryleading customer experiences for our stakeholders and ensure we are serving as responsible stewards of the City's resources.

Embracing that as a welcoming community, we are also committed to being safe, inclusive and engaged, with a built environment and a diverse mix of services and outreach that create a unique sense of place.

The vision and leadership over the last 150 years have set up Wentzville to succeed as one of the fastest-growing cities in the state.

Our new vision statement and the recently identified critical success factors provide a firm foundation to carry Wentzville into its next 150 years. Happy birthday, Wentzville — we can't wait to see what's next!

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID St. Louis, MO Permit #495

1001 Schroeder Creek Blvd.

Wentzville, MO 63385

ECRWSS Postal Customer

If You're Cold, They're Cold According to Ord. No. 3207, Wentzville residents are required to provide adequate care, shelter and control of their animals. Among other requirements, owners must provide an environment for their pets that has both shelter and temperature suitable for that species and/or breed.

This includes environments that are inside and outside. Owners must also provide animals with access to clean, unfrozen water in a tip-proof bowl as well as nutritious food at least once daily.

The Humane Society of the United States provides some simple guidelines to help protect our furry friends.

1. Keep pets indoors, whenever possible. Just as wind chill affects us humans, wind chill can threaten a pet’s life. Pets are sensitive to extreme cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps.

2. Give your pets plenty of food and (unfrozen) water. Use plastic food and water bowls; when the temperature is low, as your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.

3. Protect their paws from salt. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth.

4. Avoid antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze is a deadly poison, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals and children. Wipe up spills and keep antifreeze out of reach.

5. Speak out if you see a pet left out in the cold. Politely let the owner know, or call our non-emergency Police line at (636) 327-5105.